Yadi has second thumb surgery; Cardinals hope he’s ready by Opening Day

Yadier Molina's thumb still isn't right after making this tag in September.

Paul Beaty/AP

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has undergone a second operation on his injured left thumb and will be in a cast for 4-5 weeks.

The second surgery took place because Molina was still experiencing discomfort in the thumb. The first operation came in mid-October after the Cardinals were eliminated by the Chicago Cubs in the NL Division Series.

The team is hopeful the eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star can return by Opening Day. After the first procedure, they Cardinals had anticipated he would be ready for spring training.

The 33-year-old Molina returned for the playoffs after injuring the thumb while tagging out the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo at the plate in Chicago on Sept. 20.